Sony SPP-A940BLK 900 MHz Cordless Phone with Answering System (Black)

900 MHz extended range, 7 hour talk time, 7 day standby, base to handset paging, 10 number speed dial, tapeless all digital answering machine, voice time/day stamp, prerecorded greeting, digital message counter, 2 way conversation recording.

The Sony SPP-A940 combines the convenience of a 900 MHz cordless phone with a digital answering system, digital voice prompts, and speed dialing, into an attractive, modern package.

We found the SPP-A940 sturdy and stylish and liked its organized layout. Digital answering functions are located on the base, with memory functions on the handset. The separate buttons for answering and disconnecting seemed unnecessary, though each of the buttons is large and clearly marked. We were able to easily program all functions, thanks to the digital voice prompts. A quick guide is also included for additional reference.

The digital answering system functions are located on the base. We found its menu button convenient and easy to use for setting the time, recording a greeting, and selecting the number of rings. To set the day and time, we pressed the menu button until the voice prompt announced that function. We pressed the select button to find the current day. To confirm our choice, we pressed the set button. Similar steps set the time. Other answering system features include erase, repeat, skip, and volume.

You can store up to 10 numbers for speed dialing. To store a number, we pressed the program button, selected a program location (0 to 9), entered the number, and then pressed speed dial. A beep confirmed the number was stored. Then to dial a number, we just pressed talk, speed dial, and the assigned number. All of the speed dial buttons are conveniently located on the handset.

In our tests of the Sony SPP-A940 handset, we noticed a slight humming in the background but no static until we had traveled more than 100 feet from the base. There, the static began but did not seem to grow until we had traveled about 500 feet from the base. The connection was lost altogether at 700 feet. While the overall reception was somewhat disappointing, we would still recommend the SPP-A940 to anyone looking for an economical cordless phone with a digital answering system. --Emily Bakko

Pros:

• Sturdy, intuitive design
• Digital voice prompts simplify operation
• Speed dialing

Cons:

• Limited range
• Separate buttons for answering and disconnecting

The Sony SPP-A940 offers 900 MHz extended range thanks to superior transmission technology, so you can carry your cordless phone further and still carry on a conversation. You'll also get up to seven hours' talk time, seven days' standby, base-to-handset paging, and 10-number speed dialing. The tapeless, all-digital answering machine records both your greeting and incoming messages on IC chips. It uses no moving parts, provides exceptional reliability, and has an 18-minute message capacity. A prerecorded greeting is available. A voice time-and-day stamp records the time of the call after each message, and a digital message counter displays the number of messages. Announce-only mode answers calls without taking messages. The answering system also supports two-way conversation recording.